Election plea from Grealish turns up heat on Taoiseach

By Declan Tierney

Galway TD Noel Grealish turned up the heat on Taoiseach Brian Cowen this week by declaring that the time is now right for a general election - and a new government. And that has led to growing speculation that Independent Deputy is set to dramatically withdraw his support for the Coalition in the next few weeks as part of a self-preservation effort in the event of an early poll.

The former Progressive Democrat has already indicated his opposition to the proposed health cuts in the HSE West region but it is known that he is now anxious to distance himself from anything remotely associated with Fianna Fail.

Since being elected to the Dail for the second time in 2007, he has faithfully supported the Government and has never once opposed them when it came to a vote.

In return for his support he was promised a bypass for Claregalway but that has not been provided much to the annoyance of residents of the village and surrounding areas, which are being used as rat runs.But while Grealish would not indicate when he will jump ship from the Government, he said that he would not tolerate the proposed health cuts that were being mooted.

He is also anxious to gradually alienate himself from the Government and Fianna Fail in particular and especially in the run up to an early general election.

“I have come to the conclusion that it is time for an election and let the people decide. The amount of money this Government is pumping into Anglo Irish Bank is intolerable when we have a health system that is on its knees”, he said.

A crucial meeting is taking place today to discuss budgetary issues affecting the hospital. Last year the hospital had an overspend of €10 million and he wants this deficit “written off” – if not then he will withdraw his support.

Fine Gael in Galway West have been continually accusing Deputy Grealish of being “joined at the hip” with Fianna Fail and are hoping that the electorate will associate him with the party in the event of a general election.

This time last year the Carnmore based TD emphatically declared that he would not be joining Fianna Fail – at a time when the party were suffering their first real slump in the opinion polls.

If Deputy Grealish were to side with the opposition, the Government’s majority could depend on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle.Support for the Government comes from 70 Fianna Fáil TDs along with Dr. Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon, who have resigned from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party but have consistently voted with the Government.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.